LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 



ShelfAi.L;i 



1 ^ 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



Heart Treasures 



BY 



Fannie A. Damon 



AUTHORS EDITION 




■J^ t wV - LJ 



BUFFALO 

CHARLES WELLS MOULTON 
1894 



^ 






Copyright, 1894, 
BY FANNIE A. DAMON. 



PRINTED BY 

CHARLES WELLS MOULTON, 
Buffalo, N. Y. 



To the kind Sisters and Friends 

in this life, 

and in tender memory of the Loved Ones 

gone before 

I dedicate this book. 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Heart Treasures 9 

A Retrospect lo 

Life's Lessons 12 

In Memoriam 13 

The Awakening 15 

To-Day 16 

Christmas Memories 18 

Prayer for the Dead 20 

Lines Accompanying a Picture 22 

"At Eventide it will be Light" 22 

Growing Old 24 

A Snow Picture 26 

A New Year's Reverie 27 

Our Model 29 

Too Soon 30 

Anniversary Poem 31 

The Ice King 33 

A Dream 35 

A Birthday Offering 37 

Teach us to Pray 39 

Asleep 40 

The First May Flower 42 

To My Mother 43 

Farther On 44 



vi CONTENTS. 

Easter Morning 46 

Released 47 

A Song for the Flag • 48 

At the Loom 50 

A Dream of Home 51 

He Knows 53 

The Meeting and Parting of the Centuries. 54 

Flowers - . . . . 56 

Regret 57 

The Unguessed Mystery 59 

A Memory 60 

A Prayer for Light 62 

All in All 63 



Heart Treasures 



HEART TREASURES. 

HEN we lay aside the garments 

That our loved ones used to wear; 
And our tears fall thick and blindly 
On each trinket, tress of hair — 



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On each token of remembrance 

Their dear hands have laid away — 

Treasures they have prized as fondly 
As the ones we hold to-day; 

When we feel that all is over, 
As the shadows round us fall. 

Then we question in our anguish, 
Vainly asking, " Are these all ? " 

" All that's left us of our loved ones, 
These, and but a bitter pain. 

And a sorrowing heart that ever 
Yearns to call them back again." 

But have we not dearer tokens 

Than the ones o'er which we weep? 

They will perish, but the others, 
We can ever with us keep. 



lo Heart Treasures. 

They are ours through time and changes; 

Death can not these treasures claim; 
For the good, the true, the lovely 

Ever will with us remain. 

For the heart hath secret chambers 
Filled with stores of wealth untold; 

Costly relics, that can never 

Like earth's gems be bought and sold. 

Precious memories of our loved ones; 

Visions of a happy past, 
That will never fade or vanish, 

But grow brighter to the last. 



A RETROSPECT. 

GONE the swift years, with ceaseless, noiseless 
flight! 
We can but gaze through Memory's glass to- 
night! 
But as our eyes in sadness on them fall. 
Are we not prone to question, '" Is this all ? " 

All that there is of life — a few brief years — 
Made up of joy and sadness, smiles and tears ? 



Heart Treasures. 1 1 

Like April days, of sunshine and of rain, 
A moment bright, then clouded o'er again. 

Yet more, the past hath viore; can we not see 
Days bright with blessings rich, for you and me? 
Without a cloud to dim, or hide God's light; 
Perfect, unchangeable, from morn till night ? 

And for these days, our Father, would we praise, 
And thank thee, who hath ordered all our ways; 
But not alone by blessings are we blest. 
For those withheld, ofttimes have proved the best. 

For we have thus been led to trust thy ways. 
Nor find our all, in joy's unclouded rays; 
True happiness is not made up of years. 
But blessedness is ofttimes born of tears. 

And as we gaze upon the past's rich store 
That still is ours, and count it o'er and o'er; 
Number the blessings, in His mercy given, 
And all the joys, that's made of earth a heaven; 

We will no longer question in our pain 

What of the past! What good doth yet remain? 

But make the joys and sorrows yet to come, 

As stepping-stones, to lead us farther on. 



1 2 Heart Treas7ires. 



LIFE'S LESSONS. 

HOW shall I gather the fragments up 
That nothing be lost? she said; — 
Or improve the hours that are flitting past, 
Ere they make up a day that is dead ? 

How can I unravel the knotted skein 
With dark and with bright hues rife ? 

Or pick up the broken tangled threads 
That I've wove in this web of life ? 

How make the disjointed useless parts 
Of earth's broken idols complete? 

Or find the lost chord in Life's Melody grand. 
That made such harmony sweet ? 

How bear the burdens of sorrow and care 

That are on my shoulders laid, 
With cheerful and uncomplaining heart 

And a soul, that is undismayed ? 

By making the trials of every day 
Yield a harvest of peace and love; 

By counting the blessings of every hour, 
As thy kindly descend from above. 



Heart Treasures. 13 

By carefully watching the bright design, 
The pattern God gives me to weave — 

With patience striving to mend the threads 
Of error, o'er which I now grieve. 

By toiling on with a fearless heart, 
Though my burden heavier grows; 

It will lighter be, and scarcely felt, 
If I lighten another's woes. 

If I dry the tear on the mourner's cheek. 
With the comfort that God in His love 

Will make earth's broken idols complete 
In his mansions in Heaven above. 



IN MEMORIAM. 

SPEAK but thy name, how swift the tide 
Of feeling overflows; 
But while we question vainly, oft, 
'Tis only God who knows — 

Knows why thy promising young life 

So early was cut down. 
Or why thy earthly cross was changed 

Into a heavenly crown. 



14 Heart Treasures. 

The cross thou bore so bravely, well, 
Through sickness and through pain, 

Now laid aside, the conflict o'er. 
The heavenly conquest gained. 

" Thank God I've won! " O brave young soul! 

Though short thy earthly life 
O'er death thou'st gained the victory 

O'er worldly pain the strife. 

No more will earthly doubts perplex 

Thy sensitive young heart. 
For now thou knowest all the joys 

That late thou knew but part. 

How sweet, how glad, thy welcome home! 

How trustingly thou laidst 
Thy hand in his all-loving one 

When powerless we to aid. 

And though our hearts are sore with grief, 

Thy voice above we hear 
In sweet familiar words that breathe 

Comfort and hope and cheer. 

Saying, " Dear ones, no longer grieve, 

I'm with you as of old. 
To cheer, to comfort and to bless 

With heavenly love untold. 



Heart Treastires. 15 

" Look up and smile; the cloud that fills 

With earthly grief the space 
Twixt you and me, shall lifted be, 

And you'll behold my face." 



THE AWAKENINCx. 

HY talk of Death at Easter-time 

When all about us speaks of Life ? 
When Nature's throbbing, pulsing heart. 
With powers of darkness is at strife. 



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When the long night of rest is o'er, 
And Earth awakened from her sleep. 

Thrills with new light and warmth and power, 
As through her veins the life-blood creeps. 

A tinge of life is on the woods; 

A breath of life floats on the air; 
A hint of life the brown earth gives. 

Of verdure, bloom, beyond compare. 

Then talk no more of pain and death. 
Or aught that fills the soul with gloom ; 

Weep not, O sorrowing child of earth, 
Above the dark and moulding tomb! 



1 6 Heart Treasures. 

For Death is but the Gate of Life! 

The birth, whereby the soul attains 
To greater heights, diviner love. 

Than earth bound mortals e'er could gain. 

And only we, who, blind to sight, 
See not the light, feel not the power, 

Renounce the all-embracing Love, 
That still sustains us hour by hour. . 

O may we wake from this dull sleep. 
To conquer Death, to end the strife! 

Renew our inward powers and feel 
How blest a thing is Life, true Life! 



TO-DAY. 

TO-DAY my soul! take heed to-day! 
Fast flies Time's shuttle; soon the web, 
The warp and woof of human life. 
Will all be woven, thread by thread! 
To-morrow is not yet begun; — 

Darkness and silence lies between! 
We can not lift the veil that hides 
The future, though we sit and dream. 



Heart Treasures. 1 7 

Or backward call the yesterdays — 

The past, whose dead and withered flowers 

Lie strewn along the path we tread; 
Reminders of life's wasted hours! 

O doubting soul, no more delay 

Nor longer wait to-morrow's dawn! 
For lo! the shadows flee away, 

The mists arise, and bright the morn, 
The herald of another day 

Is dawning on the darkened sight! 
Then waste it not in idle fears, 

But strive and labor, ere the night 
Find thee with listless folded hands, 

Dreaming, with all life's work undone; 
Counting with pain the yesterdays, 

Waiting the morrows, that will never come! 



Heart Treasures. 



CHRISTMAS MEMORIES. 

CHRISTMAS anthems now are swelling, 
Christmas carols fill the air; 
And the music of their ringing, 
Echoing on the ft-osty air, 
Fills my soul with tenderest longing, 

Longing for the days now fled. 
Ere my eyes knew aught of weeping 
Or my heart mourned for its dead. 

How sweet memories come thronging 

As upon the past I gaze. 
As I hear the Christmas chimings 

Of the bells of other days; 
When my heart was light and happy, 

As we gathered round the hearth, 
When the circle was unbroken. 

Where was Christmas joy and mirth. 

Now the merry Christmas greeting 

Has no music in its tone; 
And the Christmas' sun it shines not 

With the warmth that then it shone; 



Heart Treasures. 1 9 

For my life is in a shadow, 

And my ears are deaf to sound, 
So I can not hear the music 

Of the angel choirs around, 

As they shout the glad Hosannas; 

I can only catch the strain, 
Echo of the long lost voices 

I have listened for in vain. 
But a peace that passeth knowledge, 

Comes my saddened heart to cheer, 
As I seem to hear them speaking 

As of old, in tones most dear, 

Saying, " Dear one cease your grieving! 

Do not think of us as gone. 
For we'll come again unto you. 

And our stay will not be long; 
We are ever yours in spirit, 

O, be glad this Christmas tide! 
For though absent, we are present. 

And though dead, have never died." 



20 Heart Treasures. 



PRAYER FOR THE DEAD. 



W 



E pray for near and distant friends; 

Ah ! why not for the dead as well ? 
Are they so far removed, they need 
No thought or word of ours, to tell 



The longing of our inmost souls? 

The love their absence but inspires ? 
The thoughts that shape themselves in words, 

Wishes and hopes and fond desires 

Breathed in the Father's listening ear? 

That He will keep within His care 
The dear departed ones as well 

As those for whom our nightly prayers 

Are offered at His throne of grace: — r 

For a// are sharers of His love; 
Whether as dwellers on the earth. 

Or as the sainted dead above. 

For have they still no thought of us ? 

Then why should not our spirits blend 
In sweet communion, and our prayers 

Alike for each, to God ascend ? 



Heart Treasures. 21 

Why need they not our prayers, our love ? 
For what is prayer, but love expressed ? 
Fond hopes and wishes; more than these; 
Our deepest wants to God confessed! 

And will He not from out His love 

Grant us the boon our sad hearts crave ? 

Are not the loved and early lost 

Still, still our own beyond the grave ? 

For death can not divide our souls; 

'Tis only sin can keep from us 
The love these yearning spirits feel 

For us, weak children of the dust. 

And shall the love their prayers evoke 
Find no response within our heart ? 

O, let us bear the idols hence 

That keep us from their souls apart! 

And let our prayers in their behalf, 
(Feeble petitions, though they be), 

Be echoed from their blest abode. 

And find response, O Lord, with Thee! 



I 



Heart Treasures. 



LINES ACCOMPANYING A PICTURE. 

T is only the shadow you see dear, 

When you gaze on this pictured face, 
Which may grow dim with the dust of years, 
And lose its freshness and grace; 



But the soul that looks through loving eyes. 

Can ne'er know change or decay; 
But will still live on, though the substance fades. 

And will love you forever and aye. 



AT EVENTIDE IT WILL BE LIGHT." 

TO N. B. F. 

FOND Mother, while your tearful eye 
In mute appeal, doth gaze 
Within my own with longings vain 
As you recall the days, 

The happy days, now past and gone. 
When dimpled arms were thrown 

Around your neck in fond embrace 
While sweet lips pressed your own — 



Heart Treasures. 23 

Sweet childish Hps, whose every tone 

Was like rich music sweet, 
Whose merry laughter echoes now, 

With tread of little feet. 

About the quiet haunts of home. 

Within the silent room. 
Where you so lonely sit and grieve 

For him, your cherished one, 

Torn from your loving heart's embrace 
Ere scarce you'd learned to prize 

The Angel to your household sent, 
Child-Angel, in disguise. 

Bless God the while! although with tears 

You weep your darling dead. 
Though the sweet summer time of hope 

From out your soul has fled, 

And Winter winds seem wailing still 

Around the dear ones tomb; 
And the sunny sky of faith and trust 

Is shadowed o'er with gloom. 

May not your fondest wish and prayer, 

For him your darling boy, 
A blest reality become, 

A fount of peace and joy, 



24 Heart Treasures. 

When ended is your earthly life ? 

And he maturer grown, 
Expanded 'neath the heavenly powers 

Shall bid you, " Welcome home! " 

Then while there still is left to you 

Another treasure rare, 
A bud of promise to unfold 

Beneath your love and care. 

Grieve not! but patient wait his time 
And trust that all is right; 

Though dark the way, at eventide 
It surely will be lighr! 



GROWING OLD. 

OWHY does the thought of growing old 
Cast on us its withering blight ? 
And why is youth called a radiant morn 
And age but a darksome night ? 

Could we but see the light beyond, 

As we see the setting sun 
Tinging the clouds with golden rays 

When the day is almost done. 



Heai't Treasures. 25 

We should happier be as we neared the verge, 
And our Life's sun sank from view, 

For all the clouds of grief and care 
Would be lit with a glorious hue. 

And a radiant light from the heavenly dawn 

Would illumine our pathway here, 
Making the darksome clouds of age 

Most beautiful anti clear, 

By which we should see beyond this life — 

Beyond its doubts and fears. 
That the life above this cloudy vale 

Is reckoned not by years. 

That the loving heart can ne'er grow old. 

Though slowly its pulses beat; 
Though the head is silvered o'er with snow 

And the form is feeble and weak. 

There is life above, unchanged by time. 

Untouched by earth's decay. 
Where Age shall know a glad spring-time 

'Neath the light of an endless day. 



26 Heart Treasures. 



A SNOW PICTURE. 



ROBED in light O, see them floating! 
White-winged messengers they seem, 
Wafted downward through the ether, 
Like the spirits of a dream. 

Tree and shrub and tender grass blade, 

Gabled roof and lofty tower, 
Share alike the sweet enchantment, 

Feel the witchery and power, 

Of the Artist's skill and cunning: — 

Who like him can so adorn ? 
Change the rudest of earth's pictures 

Into shapes of grace and form ? 

Man may fashion strange devices: 
Turret, wall and massive dome; 

But behold, the wonderous models 

God has wrought from tree and stone! 

Parian wreaths o'erhanging tree tops; 

Banners white, that, floating fair 
From each bough and crested summit, 

Wave their snowy folds in air. 



Heart Treasures. 27 



Who can picture all the beauty ? 

Artist's brush can never trace, 
Nor the poet's words of fancy 

All the symmetry and grace, 

That is here revealed before us; 

Study as we may the plan 
Of this wondrous architecture, 

Drawn to please the eye of man. 



A NEW YEAR'S REVERIE. 

I AM standing on the threshold. 
Looking forward, looking back, 
O'er the year that lies behind me, 
To the Future's pathless track! 
Shall I venture in the darkness 

On this way as yet untrod. 
Leave the Past and all its keeping 
Safely in the hands of God ? 

Tread this border land — the Future — 
With a firm and fearless tread. 

Trusting to a heavenly guidance 
Wheresoe' er I may be led ? 



28 Heart Treasures. 

Never doubting, never fearing, 

Though the way with thorns be strewn; 

Knowing as I onward journey, 
I shall never walk alone ? 

^ Yes, an unseen presence leads me 

Onward o'er Life's trackless way, 
And I feel with naught beside me 

It is with me day by day; 
That it never, never leaves me 

This unseen but present friend. 
Who will guide my wandering footsteps 

Onward to life's journey's end. 

And I'll look not back repining 

Where but late I stood in fear 
On the threshold, weary, waiting 

For the morning to appear; 
For the past is far behind me; 

Angel hands have led the way 
Out of sorrow into gladness. 

Out of darkness into day. 



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Heart Treasures. 29 



OUR MODEL. 

E are the clay, and thou our potter, 

Mold us, Father, to Thy will; 
Shape us by Thine own true pattern. 
By Thy wisdom and Thy skill. 



Measure us by Thy proportion, 
By Thy fullness and Thy grace: 

May no flaw or stain or blemish 
Mar Thy image or deface. 

Round our souls to Thy perfection; 

Try us in the furnace heat 
Of affliction, if it strengthens, 

Proves us, makes us more complete. 



30 Heart Treasures. 



TOO SOON. 



TO S. W, 



N 



AY, say not so my aged friend: 

Though death our fondest hopes may chill, 
The fittest time for one to die, 
Is when the Heavenly Father wills. 



Too soon for up, but not for them : 
For God hath greater need than we, 

And all our times are in his hand; 
His wisdom to the end can see. 



And though we mourn the early dead, 
The child of promise, youth of pride, 

The fair young maiden in her bloom, 

Know, stricken ones, they have not died. 



God hath but called them farther on; 

His field of labor stretches wide; 
And their brief work that we call done, 

Is but begun the other side. 



Heart Treasures. 31 

Too late! alas, too late we learn 

The lesson sent our grief to still; 
The lesson Christ the Master taught, 

Submission to God's holy will. 

For all things, whatsoe'er of good 

Or seeming ill, the Father sends, 
Will work together for our good 

If we but trust Him to the end. 



ANNIVERSARY POEM. 

" The years have linings, just as goblets do, 
The old year is the lining of the new; 
Filled with the wine of precious memory 
The golden it'as doth line the silver is." 

^y^HE " Wine of precious memory! " 
O, let us taste the draught. 
From out the silver goblet 
Lined with glimmerings of the past. 



1 



Let us gaze into the ruddy depths 
Ere we drink to other years. 

And note the changing lights and shades 
The sunshine and the tears. 



32 Heart Treasures. 

For to these lives in union blent, 
Mixed with Love's flowing cup, 

The bitter and the sweet have been, 
And they have drank it up. 

But filled again by God's own hand, 

It daily hath run o'er, 
With blessings rich and mercies kind 

Poured from his generous store. 

And as to-night we pledge with wine, 
The " Wine of Memory " dear, 

How all the gladness of the past 
In its clear depth appears. 

How all the joys of wedded life, 
Its loves, its hopes, its fears. 

Rise to the surface as we gaze 
Adown the vanished years. 

The years since first these loving hearts 

United were in one. 
Since merrily rang the marriage bells 

Upon their wedding morn. 

But now the noon of life appears 

And resting from its glare 
Within this cozy, safe retreat. 

We find the worthy pair, 



Heart Treasures. 33 

Still sipping life's rich nectar sweet 

Poured out by love divine — 
Let us drink to them from out the cup 

And pledge long life in wine! 

The "Wine" that cheers, but not allures, 

That strengthens all who taste. 
That warms the heart and binds the hand, 

And lights with love the face. 

O may their cup of of blessing flow 

As rich, as full, as free, 
As it has flowed from out the past, 

This " Wine of Memory. " 



THE ICE KING. 

HO, Ho, Ice King! you have had your reign! 
Your subjects will no longer bow 
In meek submission to your will; 
For Old King Sol, I trow, will loose their chains, 
Shake off" the bands, that bound then with an iron 
hold, 
And bid them stand erect once more, 
As stout of heart and bold. 



34 . Heart Treasures. 

As when you fettered limb to limb 
And bowed their stately heads with shame, 

And flung their strong arms to the ground 
With proud and cold disdain! 

But \\o\\\ yoii re captive! gone the power 
With which you ruled with iron sway! 

Your crown has fallen- to the earth; 
Its jewels trodden in the way! 

King Sol now sits upon your throne, 
The proudest monarch in the land! 

And all your subjects worship him. 
For he has rent the bands 

That you with cruel hands did forge; 
And 'neath the warmth of his bright ray 

Have bid them lift their heads once more, 
And own his gracious sway. 



Heart Treasiwes. 35 



A DREAM. 



I 



DREAMED last night of the loved ones; 
The loved, who from me have fled, 
And entered the Gates of the City, 
The City of the Dead ! 



They crossed o'er the mystical river, 

The river that lies between; 
They came to my side as in earth-life, 

I can scarcely think I dreamed! 

For their forms were so like earth forms, 
There smiles so radiant and bright. 

They seemed to dispel the darkness 
And make all around me light. 

And they showed to my vision a lily; 

O, fairer than any, I ween 
That ever grew in earth-land! 

More beautiful to be seen. 

Its petals seemed sparkling with jewels 
That glistened with heavenly dew; 

Its form was more graceful in outline, 
And clearer its tint and hue. 



36 Heart Treasures. 

And while I gazed with rapture *" 

On this heavenly blossom pure, 

And wondered, half waking, half dreaming, 
What language for me it bore, 

From my sight it quickly vanished. 
Borne back to the land of light 

To grace the Heavenly Mansions 

Where earth-stain ne'er could blight. 

But who shall say I was dreaming ? 

That the loved ones ne'er return. 
But are with us only in seeming, 

When for them our hearts fondly yearn! 

That those spirit-forms beside me 
Came not, as I saw them stand 

Bearing that sjjotless emblem 

That flower from the fadeless land ? 

Or that a language unwritten, 

Was not wrapped in each delicate fold 

Of that heavenly sign and token, 
That spoke to my inmost soul ? 

That taught me a lesson more lasting 
Than earth-dreams ever impart. 

To be like that lily, as stainless. 
As perfect, and pure in heart. 



M 



Heart Treasures. 37 



A BIRTHDAY OFFERING. 

Y heart goes out in kindly thought 

To you on this birthday, 
But my true pen must speak the words 
My Hps, forsooth, would say. 



But they, I fear, if put to test 

Would play me false, nor dare 
To tell the thoughts in uttered tones, 

The thoughts, so like a prayer. 

That breathed aloud might lose their power; 

That silence makes complete; 
Like the still river in its course, 

Whose water runneth deep. 

But there are hidden springs in earth 

W^hich well up to the ground. 
Making the hill-side green and fresh, 

And all things fair around. 

So thoughts from out the heart's deep wells 

Oft rise from depths below. 
Refreshing those whose thirsty souls 

Feel their sweet overflow. 



38 Heart Treasures. 

And though unuttered and unheard, 

Save by the Father's ear, 
Vet blessing those on whom bestowed 

With choicest gifts and dear. 

So may these thoughts of mine, enrich, 
And fjll with fragrance rare, 

The path wherein your feet may tread. 
Paved by this earnest prayer, — 

That God will keep you safe from harm, 

Within His care alway; 
And that His golden light may fall 

On many a bright birthday. 



Heart Treasures. 39 



A 



TEACH US TO PRAY. 

T thy mercy seat, O Father, 

When we kneel our vows to pay, 
Teach us what our tongues shall utter; 
Frame the words our lips shall say. 



Nor in vain may our petitions, 
Breathed aloud on bended knee, 

Rise to Heaven, but find acceptance 
As we lift our souls to thee. 

Teach us that the true forgiveness 
That we ask and humbly seek. 

In thine ear hath more of meaning 
Than the simple words we speak. 

As we freely, without measure, 

Give unto our fellow men, 
All our truest love and pity, 

Can we hope for thine again. 

When we pray, " O, grant us Father, 
That thy kingdom here may come; 

May we not sit idly waiting, 

While the blessed work's undone! 



40 Hcari Treasures. 

And when trials fierce o'ertake us, 

If a victory we have won 
Over pain and grief and sorrow, 

Then how sweet, " Thy will be done! " 

Help us Father! that more truly 
We may live in word and deed. 

Like the blessed Christ and Master! 
Follow where His footsteps lead. 



w 



ASLEEP. 

ITH the May blossoms so pure and so sweet, 
Dandelions golden, in bloom at her feet, 
Dear little Alice has fallen asleep. 



Blue-eyed violets, snow-drops so white, 
Great yellow buttercups, cheerful and bright, 
Why are your blossoms forgotten quite ? 

Where are the feet that so oft have strayed 
Through pastures verdant and flowery glade. 
To pluck you, ere you wither and fade ? 

Have they grown weary along life's way. 
Tired of school, of frolic and play, 
And stopped to rest this summer day ? 



Heart Treasures. 41 

Or have they wandered far out of sight, 
To fairer fields, and flowers more bright, 
Untouched by earthly stain or blight ? 

O, songster sweet in yon woodland tree, 
What is the song you are singing to me ? 
Hush your warbling so wild and free. 

Lest you wake the darling from her sleep! 
Keep, keep your fragrance, violets meek, 
And hide you in your shady retreat! 

Murmur gently, O silver stream, 

As you wander through the meadows green, 

For Alice lies in a peaceful dream ! 

With her tired hands folded over her breast. 
She lies asleep in a deep, deep rest, 
While her spirit wanders amid the blest! 

In that land where flowers forever bloom, 
Where death can not enter, or sorrow or gloom, 
There you will meet your darling soon. 

Then lay her to rest with the blossoms white 
As pure as her soul, as her heart as light, 
While you tearfully murmur "All is right! " 



42 Heart Treasures. 



A 



THE FIRST MAY FLOWER. 

TINY bud half buried in the sand, 

Plucked from the hill-side on a winter's day 
And placed within the sunny warmth of home 
Beneath the sunshine with its cheering ray, 



When lo! like starlight shining through the gloom, 
A feeble ray at first, then brighter grown, 

I watch its petals open to the day 

With childish wonder, I can not disown; 

And as I note its fragrance sweet and rare — 

This beauteous springtime blossom that I hold — 

Coming to cheer me in the winter time, 

When woods are bare, and winds are chill and cold, 

I think of many a sad and lonely life. 

Half buried in the chill and gloom of doubt, 

That only needs the cheering warmth of love 
To bring its beauty and its fragrance out. 

A pitying hand to pluck it from the mould, 
And place it 'neath the light and love of God, 

That thus its feeble petals may expand 

Like this frail flower's, from out the barren sod. 



Heart Treasures. 43 



TO MY MOTHER. 

WORDS are but feeble to tell, mother, 
The thoughts that come to me 
As I sit in the fading twilight, 
Musing on home and of thee; 
Of all thy goodness and love, mother, 

That made that home so dear; 
Of thy kindly welcome greetings; 
Thy parting words of cheer. 

Thy patient self-endurance, mother, 

For the children of thy love; 
The willing sacrifice thou mad'st, 

'Till called to Heaven above. 
Are like blessings dearly prized, mother. 

Now that thy soul has fled. 
And the flame upon Love's altar lit, 

Is quenched at last, and dead. 

Not dead; but only seeming! 

True love can never die; 
Thy faithful love, dear mother. 

Lives through eternity. 



44 



Heart Treasures. 

And will grow bright and brighter 
As the years of our lives go by, 

Drawing us nearer and nearer, 
Thy heavenly home on high; 

Where we shall meet thee, mother, 

Shall clasp those beautiful hands, 
That are beckoning us over the river, 

Into the summer land; 
Where our love shall know no parting, 

Our waiting hearts no pain. 
But all will be peaceful and happy 

When reunited again. 



FARTHER ON. 

OFTEN as I dream and wonder 
Like a child, how it will be, 
Comes this thought, above all others, 
Bringing light and joy to me; 
Bringing peace, where trouble 'bideth, 

Like the sunshine in a storm. 
Through the darkness it comes streaming 
'Twill be better, farther on. 



Heart Treasures. 45 

Farther on! But how much farther? 

Shall we forward look with fears; 
Count the years or days before us, 

By our blessings or our tears ? 
O, the mystery of being! 

Living, breathing vital breath! 
Who shall say which is the greater 

Earthly life or change called Death ? 



For this living life of ours, 

That is flittering swiftly by. 
Where ? we can not help but question 

And to which comes no reply; 
Is as deep and strange a mystery 

As the heavenly life can be. 
For we here can see but dimly, — 

* ' Face to face ' ' we there shall see. 



Face to face! but here we wander, 

Groping through the mists of doubt; 
Longing, wondering^ iearing, dreaming. 

Of His ways, past finding out; 
Faint and heart-sick, worn and weary, 

Still the battle must be won; 
Still we struggle, bravely thinking 

'Twill be better farther on. 



46 Heart Treasures. 

When our toilsome journey 's over, 

And the night of death is passed, 
Sweet the thought, a glad to-morrow 

Bright will dawn on us at last. 
All the clouds of grief will scatter, 

All our doubts and fears be gone 
In the glory of that morning 

That awaits us farther on. 



EASTER MORNING. 

LO! the dawn of Easter morning! 
How it gilds the shades of night. 
Throwing o'er the darkened landscape 
Brightest rays of heavenly light; 
Scattering far and wide the shadows, 

All earth's dreariness and gloom; 
Lifting e'en the shroud of darkness 
From the portals of the tomb. 

Angel voices break the stillness 

Of the quiet Sabbath day. 
Angel hands unlock the gateway. 

Backward roll the stone away ; 



Heart Treasures. 47 

Light for darkness! gone the terror 

Of the grave with all its dread ! 
" Seek no longer sorrowing mourner 

For the living 'midst the dead! " 

How that message wakes sweet echoes 

In our hearts each Eastertide, 
Wafted to us down the ages, 

" Christ has risen, glorified! " 
Life has conquered! death no longer 

O'er us now can hold its sway! 
Sing glad voices! Shout in triumph! 

For the stone is rolled away. 



RELEASED. 

THE burden is lifted and ended the strife; 
O, Death! thou art welcome, thou bringest 
new life; 
For the heart that here hungers, there, there shall 

receive! 
The soul that's in trouble shall never more grieve. 

The weight of long years press not heavily now; 
No change or decay is stamped on the brow; 



48 Heart Treasures. 

The long journey over he resteth in peace; 

O, Death! thou hast brought him a happy release. 

Earth's trials grow dim in the light of that morn; 
Its sorrows are lost in the joys that are born; 
No doubt nor dread fear, his soul can assail, 
For all is made clear behind Death's dark veil. 

Light shone in the valley his footsteps to guide; 
No weary waiting to reach the bright side; 
Though sad the parting O, dear ones, on earth! 
Angels rejoice o'er another new birth. 



A SONG FOR THE FLAG. 

AN INCIDENT IN REAL LIFE. 

OFF those distant rock-bound islands, 
See the vessels held at bay! 
And the sailors madly battling, 
Through the blinding mist and spray, 
And the hurricane's fierce tumult. 

In the face of fearful odds, 
With the raging billows round them. 
And no help save that of God's. 



Heart Treasures. 49 

Blindly clinging to the rigging, 

To the broken masts for aid, 
Arms outstretched and blanched lips praying 

That the tempest may be stayed; 
Hear their cries for help imploring! 

Bruised and bleeding, see them fall ! 
While the angry sea engulfs them, 

Buries them without a pall. 



Through the gathering darkness peering 

Midst those scenes of gloom around, 
See that banner wildly streaming! 

List the music of that sound. 
High above the wind's wild tumult, 

And the hurricane's fierce breath, 
As those brave, heroic seamen, 

Battle in the face of death! 



O'er the waves the sound re-echoes; 

On the rising tide it swells; 
Chorus of a hundred voices, 

Of^a Nation's triumph tells. 
Gone is every thought of danger; 

Like true heroes they can die 
Bravely at the post of duty. 

While the Old Flag floats on high. 



50 Heart Treasures. 

For the music of that anthem 

On the raging tempest borne 
Fills their sinking hearts with courage, 

As the wild winds waft it on; 
And they sing in accents clearer, 

Though beneath them yawns a grave, 
Of their Country's Starry Banner, 

And the free home of the brave. 



AT THE LOOM. 

SPIRIT garments here we're weaving; 
Garments soiled, or free from stain; 
Growing ever bright and brighter. 
With each victory that we gain. 
Every day of patient striving. 

Every trial that we bear, 
Serves to make the raiment whiter 
That our souls at last shall wear. 







Heart Treasures. 51 



A DREAM OF HOME. 

GOLDEN plumes! in beauty bending 

Beside the wayside as I pass; 
What dreams within my soul ye waken! 
What memories sweet, but sad alas! 



Within my mind are ever stirring 

As I behold your beauty rare; 
And thank the good and gracious Giver, 

Who like bestows His love and care. 

Upon the wayside blossoms, blooming 
From out the dry and dusty soil. 

As on some rare exotic, nurtured 
By aid of human skill and toil. 

But with the season of thy coming. 
The pleasant, sunny, Autumn days, 

When nature seems to speak His glory 
And give to its creator praise; 

When all the earth is wrapped in quiet 
And Sabbath stillness reigns profound, 

Ah! then comes back the old, old longing; 
Again I walk the enchanted ground 



52 Heart Treasures. 

That leads to that old farm-house yonder, 
That nestled lies, beneath the hill; 

Where birch and alder trees grow tender 
Beside the brook, that murmurs still 

Along the wayside, green with mosses. 
Where ferns and grasses droop their head. 

And goldenrod as though affrighted 
Bows low at sound of humantread. 

I call to mind — while thus I wander — 
That still and quiet Autumn day, 

When up the old road winding slowly, 
We bore that aged form away. 

Away from those home scenes familiar 
On which so oft, he loved to gaze — 

The dear old house, the spruce trees yonder. 
And the old maple with its blaze 

Of Autumn tints, all red and yellow; 

The goldenrod beside the road 
Drooping its golden plumes of beauty 

As though with grief it bore a load, 

O, sad yet sunny-eyed October! 

Thou bring'st me joy and grief in one; 
Joy for thy rich and golden harvest; 

Grief for the loved who can not come, 



Heart Treastcres. 53 

To share my joy at thy returning; 

But who I know have gifts more blest; 
For they have passed beyond earth's trials 

And found at last Heaven's promised rest. 

HE KNOWS. 

THOUGHT, beyond our thought, 
Higher than mortal mind! 
Love, deep un-impassioned love, 
Surpassing human kind! 
Wisdom, that's greater far 

Than Earth's or earth born kings! 
How weak our judgment! 

Foolish, vain, man's idle questionings! 

For what are we, beside 

His great infinitude ? 
Feeble and weak who pray 

To Him for daily food! 
Why limit His vast powers 

Whom countless worlds obey! 
We, who can scarcely see 

Beyond our little day ? 

Who walk with blindfold eyes. 

In darkness and in doubt, 
Trying in vain to find, 

All of God's meaning out; 



54 Heart Treasures. 

Striving to pierce the veil 

That hides Him from our sight. 

The veil that we, ourselves have drawn 
Between us and the light. 

Better in simple faith 

To trust His guiding hand; 
He knows! although the way 

We may not understand! 
And through the valleys drear, 

By pathways dark and dim, 
He'll safely lead us, if we will 

But trust the end to Him. 



THE iVIEETING AND PARTING OF THE 
CENTURIES. 

ALL the wonders of the nations, 
Their choicest gifts and best. 
Have been laid at thy feet, fair city, 
" Queen City of the West." 
All that the present teaches, 

All that the past has taught. 
All that the minds of genius. 

With years of toil have wrought; 



Heart Treasures. 55 

All the handicraft of woman, 

All that art and science claims 
Have been brought as votive offerings, 

To the shrine where genius reigns. 
And to crown this great achievement 

Of all ages unsurpassed. 
In a fellowship and union, 

Hands across the seas have clasped, 



And have owned a common kinship, 

Though of different race and creed; 
Owned the tie that binds all nations 

To be one of common need; 
That the rights of all are sacred; 

In each soul some spark divine 
That will kindle into brightness, 

When the rays of knowledge shine. 



At this union of the centuries. 

Where the Past and Present meet; 
What the watchword at the portal ? 

Is it victory or defeat ? 
What the promise of the morrow ? 

Will the golden age soon dawn. 
This the herald of its coming, 

Prayed and waited for so long ? 



56 Heart Treasures. 

Yes! the rays of right and justice 

Even now illume the sky, 
Tokens of that better kingdom, 

That is coming by and by; 
When the light of truth and knowledge. 

O'er the whole broad earth shall shine, 
And the law of all right living 

Be fulfilled by all mankind. 



FLOWERS. 

FLOWERS for the bridal, and flowers for the 
burial; 
Beautiful flowers, your mission is twain; 
Bringing joy to earth's happy, loved ones. 
Peace to the hearts overburdened with pain. 

Lo! how you brighten the chamber of sickness, 
Lifting the shadows and scattering the gloom; 

Bringing strength on your dew-laden petals; 
Healing and balm with your wondrous perfume. 

Tender the message you bring to the mourner, 
When your bright blossoms like tear-drops are 
shed 

Over the graves of earth's fallen heroes; 
Over the young and the beautiful dead. 



Heart Treasures. 57 

Dreary were earth without your fresh beauty! 

Lonely the wayside, and barren the spot, 
On the brown upland, in forest and meadow, 

Palace of noble, or peasant's rude cot! 

Joy of the springtime and glory of summer! 

Why must ye droop 'neath Autumn's rude blast? 
Wither and fade in your bloom and your freshness ? 

Beauty like thine forever should last! 

But not long, O, not long! will ye leave us forsaken; 

Again will your blossoms besprinkle the sod. 
Bringing gladness and cheer to hearts that are weary 

Sweet trust in the wisdom and goodness of God! 



REGRET. 

SAD heart, that maketh constant moan 
For tearsures gone beyond recall, 
Cease your vain weeping! all are His! 
He giveth and He taketh all. 

Without His mercy we are not; 

His life through all our being flows; 
His care provideth all our wants; 

His love our every good bestows. 



58 Heart Treasures. 

And though some blessings are denied, — 
Blessings that we might overprize, — 

He has withheld them for our good; 
For in our weakness. He is wise. 

Blinded by fear, we wildly grope, 
And miss the joy the present brings, 

Grasping at doubt that holds us fast 
With idle questionings. 

O could we tear the veil aside 

That hides us from God's blessed light. 

And let the light of His great love 
Shine on our darkened sight, 

We should no longer spend our years 
In vain regrets o'er what has been; 

But see 'neath winter's frost and snow. 
Spring's beauteous blossoming. 

For what to-day seems dark despair, 

'Neath the warm rays of ho})e and love, 

Oft proves a blessing sent by Him 
To lift us heavenward. 



Heart Treastires. 59 



THE UNGUESSED MYSTERY. 

THE Future life, " The life to be," 
Is it still ' ' The unguessed mystery ? ' ' 
Do we beat " The soundless doors " in vain 
To find our lost ? Will they come again ? 

Have you read the " Legend of St. Mark? " 
When " Through the dungeon's vaulted dark," 
His shining robes of light appeared, 
The captive youth no longer feared. 

For " The cords released their cruel clasp; " 
And broken fell the torturer's grasp; 
And up " From bondage and the night," 
He passed to freedom and the light. 

Shall not our doors of doubt give way 
Before the light of reason's ray ? 
God's angels! come they not in vain 
Like good St. Mark, to break the chain ? 

And though our eyes are dull to see, 
Or to define the mystery; 
Though ear be deaf to catch the flight 
Of silver wings, through the hush of night, 



6o Heart Treasures. 

There are who see the angel tent, 
Who hear the heralds God has sent, 
And from their holy altars shine 
An inner light, that sterns divine. 

Shall we not in our dark despair 
Breathe, as of old, the Prophet's prayer? 
" From fear and doubt O, set us free! 
Lord, ope our eyes that we may see! " 



A MEMORY. 

TO M. K. F. 







NLY a sad, sad memory! 

But know, dear friend ere long 
Thy grief to happiness will change; 
Thy sighing into song. 



For though 'tis now a memory, 

A blest reality 'twill be, 
When you shall meet the loved and lost 

And once again your darling see. 

Be still sad heart! nor longer mourn 
That she has left your dwelling lone! 

The Father willed that you should be 
Just for a little while, alone. 



Heart Treasures. 6i 

But not alone — God never leaves 
His children comfortless to mourn, 

Soon will his messengers of peace 
Descend upon thy heart and home. 

And Faith and Love shall bring thee cheer; 

E'en as the dew revives the flower, 
Thy drooping soul shall rise refreshed 

Beneath their light and love and power. 

Then grieve no more that she has gone 

A little while before thy time; 
But let the memory of her love 

Forever round thy pathway shine. 

All that was good and true thou hast; 

Nor time nor change can e'er efface 
The filial tenderness and love. 

That shone upon thy loved ones face. 

Ah! sweet the memory that she leaves! 

As sweet as was the dying song 
She sang, the while her spirit bright 

Waited to join the heavenly throng. 

Thus did she meet the blissful change! 

Nor feared to hear the angel's call; 
To her, the messenger called " Death," 

Must come alike to each and all. 



62 Heart Treasures. 

Calmly she yielded to his touch! 

As beautiful in death as life, 
She passed unto that heavenly bourne 

Beyond earth's sorrow, care and strife. 

O, let her blessed memory. 

E'en as her presence, light thy home! 
Then thou wilt never parted be 

For she will seem no longer gone. 



A PRAYER FOR LIGHT. 

THOU the Light! as Thou the Giver! 
Ope our eyes that we may see, 
The true light that shineth ever. 
When our souls look up to Thee! 

Lift the shadows from our being 
As the curtains of the night; 

Give our souls a blest awakning. 
Bright with rays of heavenly light! 

Sun of Righteousness! that shineth 
With a radiance naught can dim; 

Shed thy beams of warmth and brightness 
On the darkened soul within! 



Heart Treasures. 63 

Light the dawn of each to-morrow, 
With the rays of hope and peace; 

Then shall all earth's weary mortals 
Find from pain, a glad release! 



H 



ALL IN ALL. 

OW can we dwell from Thee apart 

Whose image mirrored in our heart 
Shows us how good and great Thou art! 



Whose love hath neither mete nor bound! 
Embracing all, in all things found, 
Encompassing the wide earth round. 

Whose wisdom planned the mighty whole! 

Maker of body and of soul! 

O'er all things boldest Thou control. 

Thou givest life and breath to all! 
The high and low, the great and small; 
And heedest e'en a sparrow's fall! 

Thou keepest our frail lives in thine! 
Weak creatures, why should we repine 
When we Thy laws can not divine ? 



64 Heart Treasures. 

Thy thoughts are for above our own! 
We are but finite, Thou alone 
Art infinite, O, mighty One! 

And in Thy great infinitude, 

Thou orderest all things for our good, 

If but Thy laws were understood! 

Grant us Thy wisdom ! May we still 
Through all life's changes, good or ill, 
Trace but the workings of Thy will. 

And where we can not understand, 
Trust, Father, to Thy guiding hand; 
Thy sternest law, but love's command! 



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